The Angel on the Bridge. Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire

Brrrrrr, mid October and the evening weather has changed from a convivial late summer breeze into a definite hardy Autumnal chill. Following a short and breath snapping walk along the river in Henley, my partner and I were especially glad to finally reach the glowing lights at The Angel on the Bridge River Restaurant. Stepping inside we removed gloves and scarves, to find it warm, inviting and friendly and before you know it we were perched merrily at the bar, glass of wine in hand, ravenously appraising the menu to the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald.
This restaurant is welcoming and homely with deep berry-red walls, and snow white linen, each table having a pretty candlelit glass lanterns and a posy of fresh flowers. Out of the window we enjoyed the moving riverscape and were delighted when we were entertained by a softly lit Dragon Boat out on the river in full practise – only in Henley!
Whilst the restaurant can be as intimate as required, the Angel also offers booths with huge sociable tables for larger groups or families. The well planned menu here changes every few months. Offers excellent choices and accommodates meat eaters, fish lovers and vegetarians alike. Starters are all offered at £5pp and offer dishes such as a parmesan salad, devilled whitebait, lemon and granary bread or perhaps roasted jerk chicken wings with cucumber yogurt. After much deliberation I opted for whole grilled flat mushrooms with pecorino cheese and sage. The mushrooms were so succulent, the heat making the Italian cheese continue to melt beautifully and the two textures together were delicious. My partner went for the more spicy sounding Chilean prawn piri-piri with caper berries, which arrived in an appealing simple terracotta earthenware dish; he declared them flavoursome and delectable. These are the perfect size starters, leaving you satisfied, yet anticipating the main course.
Seasonal warmers like Wild boar sausages, mashed potato and white onion sauce, Moules marinieres or Grilled swordfish steak with lemon, parsley and garlic the main courses are priced between £9 and £14pp and include vegetables or salad and potatoes. Wanting something hearty and rich, I immediately went for the calves liver, streaky bacon, and red onion marmalade, which was just perfect, the bacon welding the flavours together. My partner chose the leg of lamb steak with honey, redcurrant and fresh ginger, which he said was an interesting combination and promptly ate with great relish. We shared the side dishes of broccoli with cheese sauce, crispy noisette and new potatoes and salad. Although our hunger really had been satisfied, we were presented with the choices of dessert. Well… it would be rude not to! Even though I had congratulated myself on by-passing the Chocolate pudding, I was soon tackled and pulled down the Sticky toffee pudding as my partner gleefully ordered his favourite treacle tart, both with custard. Gorgeous, hot, puddings, real comfort food, just what the doctor ordered on a cold night!
Wandering back out into the wintry night we were now warmed to the bone, and full of good food. Henley no longer felt cold and bleak, but picturesque and charming once more.
The Angel on this bridge, is more than just a port in a storm on a cold wintry evening, it really is a haven of good food and divinely unpretentious surroundings where you can sit and share food and life with lovers and friends and catch up on the gossip. It has lots of spirit and is fortunate enough to be blessed with a heavenly atmosphere.

Fondue starts next week, Classic Swiss cheese £3.75 pp
Chicken or Beef £6.95 pp -Both served with new potatoes & salad and sauces -Chocolate & nut with shortcake and fruit £3.75 pp
New Years Eve party Arabian nights book early! Special -Bottle of house wine with every two main courses from Monday 27th Oct ordered from the main evening menu.

Don Lorenzo’s Resturant. Marlow, Buckinghamshire

Good news travels fast! Don Lorenzo’s restaurant has been open in Marlow for just three months, but it is already well known for it’s vibrant, welcoming environment and superb Italian cuisine. Lance Robinson and Giuseppe have created an Italian paradise on two floors, complete with private dining room. They have even brought their chef over from Naples, for that truly authentic Italian taste. Giuseppe is not only a partner in the business, but also the front of house conductor, orchestrating his team of waitresses and chefs with precision and ease.
With his wide –opened armed welcome, you just know that when this thoroughbred Italian says to you “Make yourself at home”, you really will feel as though you are in his own home. A lovely ambient restaurant with a pretty bowed front bay window, warm timber beams, soft toffee coloured walls and attractive simple crisp white linen.
I instantly decided to choose a starter of home made penne pasta with Parma ham, basil, and radicchio – an interesting combination that surprised me when the imaginative ingredients complimented each other wonderfully. My fiancé chose the seasonal Asparagus tips, and was very pleased to find it simply prepared and so very fresh.
Don Lorenzo offers a well considered and tempting wine list spanning the globe from a deep Spanish Rioja to a South African Pinotage. Having visited numerous Tuscan vineyards I have a particular passion for Italian red wines and was delighted by the choice of such favourites as Chianti classico, Brunello de Montalcino and Amarone truly bringing Italy straight to the table.
With so much fresh fish to choose from my fiancé was really torn between Sea Bass, Tuna, and Dover Sole. Guiseppe recommendation the whole Sea Bass with aubergine, cherry tomato comfit, basil and olive oil. Once tasted he declared that it “was as though it had been hooked straight from the Adriatic”. I equally relished my corn fed Chicken wrapped in Parma ham and served with an Italian favourite – Pecorino cheese. These were accompanied with side dishes of fresh mange tout, courgettes, mushrooms, and peppers in olive oil. Delicious
Impossible to resist the desserts, we chose the Lemon cheesecake, light fresh layers of sponge and cream, and a deeply brandied Tiramisu.
Amidst the sound of chattering voices, and soft Italian music, and the smell of fresh herbs, you can hear old and new friends coming and going. Don Lorenzo’s really is Marlow’s reflection of Umbria and Tuscany, a special haven where you can eat fresh imaginative ingredients and enjoy the laid back and convivial atmosphere.
You will remember the passion for the food, the sophisticated menu, the simplicity of the flavours, the beautiful presentation……… and of course Giuseppe!

Odessey Health Club. Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire

Hot Stones Therapy at Odessey Health Club

The treatment rooms at Odyssey are warm, softly lit ,and smell gorgeous. With the soothing background music it wasn’t long before my working day had disappeared into a distant memory. The new Hot Stone therapy here was introduced from Arizona has been in use for over 2000 years. It is said to “opens up the energy centres of the mind and body, known as the Chakras, thus allowing a balance of individual chakras to be achieved. “Rebecca commenced the treatment by gently brushing my legs and arms, she then massaged warm oils to my body, creating a calm, safe and totally relaxed feeling.
After about 15 minutes she introduced the warm basalt stones, which had been gently heating up in a water bath. These stones are said to “bring about an increase in heart rate and respiration as well as increasing the supply of blood to the muscles and organs removing waste products”.
First of all to my shoulders and back, by my feet and during the therapy, laid softly into the palm of my hands. She massaged my back, and traced with the stones the tight muscle groups that had collected in my shoulders and base of my neck, loosening the muscles and relieving tension. Next, the other side; turning over I had the stones placed underneath my waist, at the point of my Sacral, and at the base of my neck.
Feeling very comfortable I experienced a deeply therapeutic feeling as the warmth slowly and gently seeped through my body during this slow, languorous treatment. I then felt her place smaller stones on my forehead above and between my eyebrows, on my collarbones and shoulders and larger warm stones on my abdomen. Then most surprisingly (and for me powerfully relaxing), between each of my toes –.this produced an amazing feeling of energies opening, and I felt like I was dropping into the earth. It was very profound.
Rebecca having massaged me to heaven, then gave me an amazing facial massage, stroking the skin up and down, and the tracing my temples with tiny stones in small circular movements, then taking them gently into the hairline like a head massage sending my mind and body floating into outer space. I was able to fell a total lightness in my whole body and Rebecca tuning into my energies. In a warm, safe and comforting space, a state of deep relaxation was achieved, a treatment that is enveloping, spiritual and unforgettable. The effect is similar to a combination of massage and sauna, without having to move anywhere in fact I would say it is like going to heaven and coming back in time for supper! Telephone Odyssey for details on 01491